IBAÏA BOATS - CHANTIER NAVAL
Ibaïa Boats is a French boatyard on the Bassin d'Arcachon that designs and builds eco-constructed, solar-powered boats and autonomous floating accommodation. Founded by naval architect Thomas Serré, it describes itself as the first shipyard in France dedicated to solar propulsion, and works with bio-sourced, recycled and recyclable materials sourced largely in France. Its range includes the Houseboat, the Coche solar houseboat, the Explorer 1200 mixed river/coastal catamaran and the Ibaïa Lodge line of floating lodges for 2, 4 or 8 people. Boats are built to order for private owners and for rental and unusual-accommodation operators, with the yard based at La Teste-de-Buch.
Ibaïa Boats - Chantier Naval
Ibaïa Boats is a boatbuilding yard on the Bassin d'Arcachon in south-west France, specialising in eco-construction. The company designs and builds energy-autonomous, solar-propelled boats and floating habitats, and presents itself as the first French shipyard dedicated exclusively to solar propulsion. It was created by Thomas Serré, a naval architect trained at the University of Southampton (BEng Yacht & Powercraft Design) who spent nine years at a luxury catamaran yard before founding the naval architecture office SB Yacht Design in 2015. Design work on projects such as the Coche has been carried out in collaboration with SB Yacht Design.
Services
- Design and construction of custom, decarbonised boats and houseboats
- Bespoke floating lodges built to client requirements
- Solar-electric propulsion systems adapted to the boat type and intended use
- Integration of solar panels, river-water filtration and wastewater treatment for off-grid autonomy
- Hull optimisation and weight reduction, plus insulation and efficient equipment for year-round living
- Use of short-supply-chain, bio-sourced, recycled and recyclable materials
Vessel Types
- Houseboat — wood-built, hand-finished; example delivered at 16.25m x 4.4m with 50m² of living space, 30m² of terraces and 25m² of roof solar panels
- Coche solar houseboat — 14.90m x 4m, 35m² interior, 28m² terraces, 6 berths, 0.65m draft, 12 solar panels, two 6 kW motors, 10 km/h, around 3 hours' navigation autonomy; built for licence-free rental use
- Explorer 1200 — mixed river and coastal catamaran with electric or hybrid propulsion and an opening roof
- Ibaïa Lodge floating habitats built on a catamaran hull: 2-person (8m x 4m), 4-person (10m x 4m) and 8-person (11m x 7m) models, classed as boats
Facilities
- Boatyard on the Bassin d'Arcachon, with construction reported at La Teste-de-Buch and Gujan-Mestras
- In-house team including project manager, cabinetmaker/joiner and yard staff
Location
- 1010 Av. de l'Europe, 33260 La Teste-de-Buch, France
Recognition and Events
- Trophées de l'Innovation prize 2022 at the Arcachon boat show; winner of the Déba environment competition
- Exhibitor at Grand Pavois La Rochelle 2023, Arcachon boat show, Saint-Jean-de-Losne river show, SETT and Salon Sinuo
- Coverage by Sud Ouest, TV7, TVBA and the magazine Vivre le Bassin